Allen Oren Stanaland

Funeral service for Allen "A.O" Stanaland, 92, of Nacogdoches, Texas, will be at 2:00 PM on Friday, October 29, 2021, at Laird Funeral Home with Bro. Tim Brewer officiating. Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 1:00 to 2:00 PM on Friday, October 29, 2021, at Laird Funeral Home.

Allen (A.O.) was born at home in Nacogdoches County on July 31, 1929 to James “Murph” and Iness Irby Stanaland being one of seven children in the family. He grew up as a country boy in the community of Mayo and attended a one room schoolhouse in Cedar Bluff.  Although growing up during the Great Depression came with many difficulties, there were also many good times and blessings that were shared with his tightly knitted family that worked hard together to survive the difficult times.  When Allen was not at school, he was busy clearing land, working in the cotton fields, or doing whatever had to be done.  He spoke of hardships that they endured, such as when food was scarce and times when staple goods (flour, sugar, etc) were being rationed.  They were forced to be creative and efficient in what they had. When all the chores were done, Allen loved hunting, fishing, and having a good time with friends and family.   Spending most of their time together, Murph instilled a love of music within his children, and they all learned how to play an instrument. It was at this time that Allen picked up a guitar and a lifelong love for that instrument began and never ended.  Allen became a master musician, and though he never learned to read sheet music, he could play anything he wanted to play by ear.  He developed his own style of playing and composed songs of his own.  One of the most well-known songs of his own is called the “Mayo Stomp.” Allen influenced many young, aspiring musicians over the years, some of whom ended up on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry.

Allen spent most of his working career as a truck driver for his brother-in-law, Olan Chumley, hauling lumber from Arkansas and East Texas to Houston.  After the trucking business ended, he worked for Indian River Hatchery as a hatchery manager and retired from there, returning to work for his sister and brother-in-law on the “Chumley” farm raising chickens for Indian River.  He spent the final twenty plus years of his working career as a security guard for Bright Coop, Inc. 

On April 14th, 1948, he married Peggy Jean Morgan in Crockett, Texas.  They had five children and celebrated 46 years of marriage before her untimely death on November 6, 1994.  They were blessed with ten grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren and enjoyed any time spent with family. 

On July 31, 2001, he married Tommie Strahan in Nacogdoches, Texas and they recently celebrated 20 years of marriage.  They both loved music and enjoyed many times of playing and singing together with friends and family. 

Allen accepted the Lord as his personal Savior and was baptized at Bethel Baptist Church on November 2, 1975.  He was currently a member of Holly Springs Baptist Church, but also loved attending Harmony Missionary Baptist Church with family.

Allen is survived by his sister Zelda Biedrzycki, wife Tommie Stanaland, son Ronnie Stanaland (Ann), daughters Judy Turner (Leonard), Wanda Russell (Clem), Traci Wharton (Tom), grandchildren Greg Stanaland, Jody Bond, Kelly Ramsey Aziadapou, Melissa Turner, Christina Turner, Dayna Stanaland, Jennifer Horner, Thomas Wharton, Matthew Wharton, Justin Wharton, and many nieces/nephews and great grandchildren.  

Also, stepsons, Earnest Wright (Becky) and Jimmy “Dusty” Jones (Linda), stepdaughters Carolyn Hanes (Jason), Fran Young (Dave), eleven grandchildren, many great grandchildren, and one great-great grand.

He was preceded in death by his wife Peggy, daughter Brenda, parents “Murph” and Iness Stanaland, brothers James Audley and P.J. Stanaland, sisters Ida Mae Wright, Jewel Lunsford, and Kathryn Chumley.

At the time of his death, Allen (A.O.) was the oldest known member of the Stanaland family residing in Nacogdoches County.

Serving as pallbearers are Greg Stanaland, Thomas Wharton, Matthew Wharton, Justin Wharton, Randy Crawford and Evan Horner. 

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Harmony Missionary Baptist Church at 268 CR 726 Nacogdoches, Tx 75964.

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